Trams in Basel, Switzerland: Through town and country with iconic swiss trams (2023, 2025)

Basel's 79-kilometer-long tram network is operated by two transport companies: While the lines of the Basler Verkehrsbetriebe (BVB) primarily operate within the city, Baselland Transport AG (BLT) is responsible for the interurban lines to the south. Two lines cross the border into France, and the BVB line 8 runs to the German city of Weil am Rhein.

While most of the BVB's older trams were replaced by modern low-floor trams by 2017, the Be 4/4 "Cornichon" trams have been preserved. These four-axle trams were built by Schindler in 1986 and 1987 and are used as two- or three-car sets with "swiss standard" B4S trailers, which were modernized with the installation of a low-floor section and air conditioning. The replacement of these trams is planned for the medium term.
The BLT purchased Be 4/6 articulated trams, also from Schindler, between 1978 and 1981. From 1987 to 1999, many cars were extended with a low-floor midsection, creating the Be 4/8 type. Most recently, these trains were used primarily on the lines E11 and 17 during rush hours. Since 2023, they have been replaced by new vehicles; in the summer of 2025, only a few Schindler tram sets could be seen in service.

In this video, we first follow the BVB two-car trains, which were increasingly used on lines 3, 15, and 16 in the summer of 2025. They also traveled the scenic routes to Bruderholz. Footage from 2023 shows three-car trains on line 6 to Allschwil. We then follow the BLT double traction on their journeys through Basel and on the interurban route to Ettingen.

0:00 Intro
0:39 Be 4/4 and B4S trams on lines 3, 15 and 16 (2025)
11:59 Be 4/4 and B4S three-car sets on line 6 (2023)
16:05 Be 4/8 and Be 4/6 on lines 10, 11 and 17 (2023)
23:55 Ride in Be 4/4 and B4S
26:01 Ride in Be 4/6